Hello! My name is Sarah Besoaga, and I am the owner and artist behind Sacred Beso!
I am a self-taught, multi-medium artist based in Chicago, working primarily with acrylic paint while also exploring oil painting and other creative mediums. My work ranges from intimate portraits inspired by loved ones to large-scale illustrative pieces, each created with the intention of capturing small, fleeting moments most of us would miss. All original works are accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.
The name “Sacred Beso” came to me naturally. I wanted it to reflect a sense of calm, serenity, love, and passion. “Beso,” meaning “kiss” in Spanish, was inspired by my last name, Besoaga. The name also felt fitting because “Sacred Beso” shares my initials, making it feel personal and authentic to both my identity and the signature placed on each original piece.
As a second-generation Romanian, travel has played a huge role in shaping how I see the world. With most of my family still living in Romania, I grew up surrounded by different cultures and perspectives. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to more than 10 countries, including Turkey, China, and the Dominican Republic. Those experiences continue to inspire my work and influence the subjects and stories I choose to portray.
Creativity has always been a part of who I am. Beyond painting, I also explore other artistic outlets including bleach-designed clothing, crocheting, sewing, and whatever new project sparks my interest. For me, art has never been limited to one medium, it’s simply the way I express how I experience the world. My work often blends realism with illustrative storytelling, focusing on emotion, memory, and overlooked moments.
Like many emerging artists, I was often told that pursuing art wasn’t realistic or sustainable. While my family encouraged a more traditional path with good intentions, I had a strong feeling that creativity was what I was meant to pursue. That creative drive stayed with me from childhood, even through periods where “reality” made me question it.
Everything changed after receiving my first commission from a friend who took a chance on me. Witnessing the emotional reaction to a piece I created, the excitement, connection, and joy of seeing something meaningful come to life, made me realize exactly why I create art. I will never forget that light in her eyes when I brought the vision in her head to reality. If a single brushstroke can make someone pause, feel, reflect, or see beauty in a new way, then I’ve done my job as an artist.
My work is ultimately about resonance, human experience, and joy. I want people to feel seen through my art and to experience the same beauty and wonder that inspires me every day. If my art can tell a story, I hope you all love reading it!
I regularly share works in progress, finished pieces, and behind-the-scenes moments from my creative journey on TikTok (@sacredbeso) and Instagram (@sacredbesos).